Massachusetts Department of Correction

The DOC has numerous career opportunities you may not know of. From correction officers to cooks, even recreation officers, investigative teams, and legal professionals. Find our recruitment team at one of our events this October to learn more about current opportunities!

Our newest recruit class, RTC 336, recently completed their first week of the Recruit Training Program. Over the next 11 weeks, at the Shirley Training Academy, recruits will receive training and information needed to succeed. Interim Commissioner Jenkins, Staff Development, and Human Resources all spoke to the recruits as they begin their careers with the DOC.

UPDATE: Individual in custody Kevin O’Brien was located and placed into custody by DOC investigators in Foxborough this evening around 6:45 p.m. DOC investigators have filed a charge of escape from a correctional facility against O’Brien in Wrentham District Court. The Massachusetts Department of Correction wants to thank all of the state and local law enforcement partners who worked collectively with us to bring O’Brien into custody. We also want to thank the members of the community who called in information and tips involving this individual. _____________________________________________________ Original release: The Massachusetts Department of Correction is actively searching for Kevin O’Brien, a 72-year-old incarcerated individual who is housed at the Pondville Correctional Center in Norfolk, Massachusetts. O’Brien was last seen on the grounds of the minimum/pre-release facility on Tuesday, October 1, around 9:30 a.m. Officials at the facility were conducting a routine check and discovered he had not returned around 11 a.m. Video footage viewed by staff and DOC investigators spotted O’Brien leave the track area of the facility and walk into the nearby woods around 10 a.m. He was last seen wearing dark blue jeans with a crewneck sweatshirt, a navy-blue windbreaker and a navy blue ballcap. O’Brien is wearing thick, large black glasses and possibly clear headphones. He is currently serving a sentence for theft of a motor vehicle. The DOC called area police departments and Massachusetts State Police. DOC investigators along with department K-9s and drones have been dispatched to the area. O’Brien is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 160 pounds. He has blue eyes and is partly bald with white hair. Please do not approach O’Brien. We ask anyone with information to call 911.

Announcement: Three to face criminal charges in court for attack on Correctional Officers inside the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center Investigators for the Massachusetts Department of Correction filed charges against the following three individuals in Clinton District Court in connection with the Sept. 18 attack on correctional officers inside the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. The criminal complaints were issued on Friday, September 27. • Jose R. Crespo, 39, charged with Mayhem, Armed Assault to Murder and Assault to Murder. Arraignment scheduled for October 11. • Heriberto Rivera-Negron, 36, charged with Mayhem, Armed Assault to Murder and Assault to Murder. Arraignment scheduled for October 10. • Jeffrey Tapia, 30, charged with Mayhem, Armed Assault to Murder and Assault to Murder. Arraignment scheduled for October 15. “Attacks against our officers will not be tolerated and the serious charges filed against the three individuals demonstrates that the Massachusetts Department of Correction will take action. This type of violence is unacceptable and now those involved will be held accountable in the court of law. We have and will continue to make the safety and health of our Correctional Officers a priority and appreciate their dedication to the DOC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our investigators worked tirelessly since the incident occurred to bring these charges forward," said Interim DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins. On Wednesday, September 18, at approximately 6:20 pm, the Massachusetts Department of Correction received a report of multiple injured correction officers inside the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. Two correction officers were assaulted by incarcerated individuals and sustained multiple stab wounds. Three additional correction officers were injured when responding to the incident. A total of 5 correction officers were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Any further information on the arraignments and court case should come from the Worcester County’s District Attorney’s Office.

On Sept. 23, the Massachusetts Department of Correction joined Boston College to honor the first class of students to graduate and receive degrees from the Boston College Prison Education Program. This nationally renowned program allows incarcerated individuals to pursue a college degree while serving their sentences at MCI-Shirley. As the largest higher education in-prison program in Massachusetts, the BCPEP has admitted over 80 incarcerated students into its program since its inception in 2019. The three individuals who graduated received bachelor’s degrees in Applied Liberal Arts. The event highlighted a continued commitment to strong partnerships and the shared goal of using programs and education as a tool for rehabilitation and growth. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4gFvtD3

Did you know that the DOC has more than 600 employees that have served in the armed forces. Happy 77th Birthday to the United States Air Force. Thank you for your service.

The DOC offers a variety of different career opportunities. To learn more about our teaching jobs, please join us virtually on September 24th!

Looking to make a difference and help others? Searching for a fulfilling career that offers great benefits? Come learn about all these opportunities and career paths within the Massachusetts Department of Correction at one of the Virtual Info Sessions this week! For more information visit https://lnkd.in/eCxPK4Qq. 

Look inside the new space for our B.R.A.V.E. Unit at the North Central Correctional Institute. After the closure of MCI-Concord, we moved the unit and began construction to accommodate this program, which allows for young fathers and mentors to learn together and grow. We look forward to the completion of the unit and all the new opportunities the new facility will offer.